The most common process for removing the bbl from the receiver stub is to split the receiver. This is done by using a Dremel cutoff wheel to make a slice in the cocking handle slot to the front of the receiver. A chisel is then inserted in the slot and driven in to split the receiver. It is common for the cutoff wheel to cut a small slice in the threads during this process, it is not a problem. The amount of metal removed still leaves 99.9% of the original threads untouched, and the threads are usually not burred from the process because unscrewing the old receiver stub cleans them up.

Yep, no worries. Looks like he used an air powered cutoff wheel from the wide width. He did go a might far and put a groove in the wrench flat on the bbl, just cosmetic and will be covered by the handgaurd retainer anyway.

Just curious, is that a chrome lined bbl? The chrome ones had a "Cr" stamped on the muzzle attachment lug IIRC.

I'm not sure... I'll have to give it a look. I'm at work right now. If memory serves me, it's not chrome lined, but I'll double check.

Thanks again guys for all your help. This is one of those items that I thought I'd been screwed on the purchase. Until I found this board, the barrel was just collecting dust, because I wasn't sure it could be used.

Now I get to rebarrel my existing rifle and create my own Frankenstein G1... I'm thrilled. I think the G1 is sexy... is that wrong?